PHILOSOPHY: ANCIENT GREEK

Socrates (469-399 BCE) and Aristotle (384-322 BCE), two of the most influential of the ancient Greek philosophers, were suspicious of the idea of... more

Socrates (469-399 BCE) and Aristotle (384-322 BCE), two of the most influential of the ancient Greek philosophers, were suspicious of the idea of equality. Socrates did not care for the idea in general, and Aristotle thought it could, within a state, yield new forms of abuse of power. Equality, as they conceived of it, was very different from modern Western conceptions of the principle of the universal, inalienable rights of all individuals. And, although ancient Greece is often regarded as the birthplace of democracy, this form of government was very different from the way the modern industrialized world thinks of it. The concept of equality that was one basis of Greek ideas of democracy assumed that all citizens were equal. But, since foreigners, women, and slaves were not allowed to become citizens, democracy meant equality among those who--

Defends Sophists' view that good & bad are not objective values but are determined by custom & preference.

This study will evaluate and defend the Sophist view that virtually nothing is good or bad by nature, but that good and bad are matters of custom and... more

This study will evaluate and defend the Sophist view that virtually nothing is good or bad by nature, but that good and bad are matters of custom and preference. The Sophists believed that nothing universal or absolute can be known about good or bad, simply because to them everything is relative and subjective, and depends on individual and cultural perception. With the endless contradictions among men regarding definitions of good and bad, the Sophists concluded that nothing could be known absolutely in terms of ethics or in any other significant category of inquiry. Like Socrates, the Sophists turned to the study of man and human behavior, turning away from the material world of nature which the earlier Greek philosophers had studied. The study of the material world would seem more likely to yield definite conclusions than the study of human behavior, but even the

Aristotle, in Nicomachean Ethics, argues that the individual of moral virtue possesses and demonstrates in his behavior certain qualities... more

Aristotle, in Nicomachean Ethics, argues that the individual of moral virtue possesses and demonstrates in his behavior certain qualities (self-control, generosity, courage, magnificence, wisdom, gentleness, truthfulness, etc.). The individual comes to possess such morally virtuous qualities of thought and behavior not merely through some innate quality, but through habitual action, just as the morally vicious person comes to possess qualities of vice through habitually vicious actions. To possess the virtue of wisdom, in other words, is to take an action of wisdom again and again. To possess the vice of self-indulgence, one takes self-indulgent actions repeatedly. Moral virtue is demonstrated not by an occasional act of wisdom, for example, but by repeated acts of wisdom: Moral virtue . . . is formed by habit. . . . None of

Analyzes author's examination of the design argument for existence of God.

The purpose of this research is to examine David Hume's treatment of the design argument for the existence of God, contained in Dialogues Concerning... more

The purpose of this research is to examine David Hume's treatment of the design argument for the existence of God, contained in Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion. The plan of the research will be to set forth the essential steps of the argument made by Cleanthes, who in the Dialogues is advocating the design argument, and then to discuss various refutations of the argument made by Philo, with a view toward suggesting which line of argument seems stronger, whether within Hume's text or from the point of view of outside critique of that text.The argument from design for the existence of God that Cleanthes makes derives from the rational human experience of the found universe. The steps of the argument may be summarized:1. The created/found universe demonstrates order and an "curious adapting [elsewhere adjustment] of means to ends, throu

Justice is a function not of actions or behavior as such--and by implication not of material experience more generally--but rather of the just... more

Justice is a function not of actions or behavior as such--and by implication not of material experience more generally--but rather of the just conceptualization, which must precede the just action if the action and the one who performs it are to be considered authentically just, either by oneself or by others:[Justice] . . . is not a matter of external behaviour, but of the inward self . . . . The just man . . . sets his house in order, by self-mastery and discipline . . . . Only when he has linked these parts together in well-tempered harmony . . . will he be ready to go about whatever he may have to do, whether it be making money . . . or the affairs of state (Plato 141-2).The mechanism of harmony in personal and civic relationships is political education and desire for wisdom, a "constant passion for a

Aristotle's treatment of politics and rule begins, not with a discussion of elections and public administration but rather with a treatment of... more

Aristotle's treatment of politics and rule begins, not with a discussion of elections and public administration but rather with a treatment of property, and not real (land) or personal (movable) property but rather persons as property, or slaves. Slaves are classified, not according as they do physical labor but according as they belong to (hence are subordinate to) part of a fundamental environment of rational human experience, the management of the household. The treatment of slaves as an aspect of household management is crucial because Aristotle conceptualizes the household in the same manner as he conceptualizes the political environment, as the highest and best expression of human rationality.Human rationality is a naturally occurring, organic structure, and so are its products. For example, Aristotle refers to th

Boethius, in The Consolation of Philosophy, is simply trying to apply his reason to human existence in order to make sense of that existence in a... more

Boethius, in The Consolation of Philosophy, is simply trying to apply his reason to human existence in order to make sense of that existence in a world which seems to champion evil and defy justice and goodness. The author depicts himself as a man torn by the misfortunes of life, finding some relief if not happiness in the pleasures of poetry. Poetry does not help him make sense of his suffering but at least gives him the opportunity to express his pain: "Poetry, which was once the glory of my happy and flourishing youth, is still my comfort in this misery of my old age" (3). However, immediately, philosophy comes to him in a vision as Lady Philosophy, offering him more than poetry could ever offer, namely the opportunity to make rational sense of the world as a means of transcending his suffering instead of wallowing in it.

The purpose of this research is to examine Cicero's concept of law and the relation between his theory of law and his idea of the state. The plan of... more

The purpose of this research is to examine Cicero's concept of law and the relation between his theory of law and his idea of the state. The plan of the research will be to set forth the biographical and historical context in which Cicero's views emerged, and then to discuss the pattern of ideas informing Cicero's legal theory and the means by which these ideas overlap and converge with his idea of the state.Cicero's life and work were circumscribed by the limits of territorial acquisition in the last years of Roman republicanism, which was to become the basis for Roman imperial administration and political organization, and the decline of that same republic. Cicero's death was connected partly to Rome's making the violent transition in governance structure away from aristocratic republicanism per se and toward monarchy, and partly to th

Analyzes blueprint for ideal society based on justice, collectivism, control of education & art, censorship, elimination of strife.

Plato's Republic describes a society that is completely rational, based on Plato's concept of the good life and developed to create and protect that... more

Plato's Republic describes a society that is completely rational, based on Plato's concept of the good life and developed to create and protect that sort of life within the context of a civil state. What Plato seeks in this dialogue is a definition of the perfect life and the perfect state to promote and sustain that life. The Ideal State is a concept and not a reality, either in Plato's time or since. Plato lived in a time of turmoil and warfare, and he created a society that would be free of strife if it lived up to the ideal. It seems likely that few people today would want to live in the society Plato proposes, and this may be because Plato ignores or subsumes human nature. one of the elements Plato sees as necessary to his perfect state is a powerful and extensive censorship to control certain forces in the populace and to reduce the sort of individualism we prize

Justice and the Common Good in the Political Theory of Cicero Of the great statesmen/orators in the history of Rome, Marcus Tullius Cicero... more

Justice and the Common Good in the Political Theory of Cicero Of the great statesmen/orators in the history of Rome, Marcus Tullius Cicero stands out as one of the more conservative. While he was aware of the changing fortunes and political atmosphere of Rome, he constantly looked to the past and the great ideals of those who had proceeded him in order to flesh out his conception of the ideal state. In the words of Robert Bell, his great oratorical skills were in “the best political tradition of his ancestors, manipulating by appearing not to manipulate, so long as the conservative cause was served” (Cape 274). Cicero was particularly influenced by Plato’s conception of the city-state, having had the goal of “putting Greek speculation into Roman dress for the benefit of his contemporaries” (Wilson, 9). He fervently

Your cart

Testimonials

The staff and writers are true professionals. They are honest and helpful.
If you order from them, you are in very good hands.

I'm so happy!

I used to have such a terrible time with writing, but not any more.
This company has taken one of my most stressful college experiences and made it easy!

The Best Service Ever!

I really do appreciate Research Assistance. I'm not a good writer and the service really gets me going in the right direction. The staff gets back to me quickly with any concerns that I might have and they are always on time. Thanks a million for your excellent service.